Provides Fourth Quarter and Raises Full-Year 2015 Earnings Guidance
COLUMBUS, Ohio, 2015-11-19 — /EPR Retail News/ — L Brands, Inc. (NYSE:LB) today reported 2015 third quarter results
Third Quarter Results
Earnings per share for the third quarter ended Oct. 31, 2015, increased 25 percent to a record $0.55 compared to $0.44 for the quarter ended Nov. 1, 2014. Third quarter operating income increased 19 percent to $338.8 millioncompared to $284.1 million last year, and net income was $164.0 million compared to $131.8 million last year.
The company reported net sales of $2.482 billion for the quarter ended Oct. 31, 2015, an increase of 7 percent compared to net sales of $2.319 billion for the quarter ended Nov. 1, 2014. Comparable store sales increased 7 percent for the quarter ended Oct. 31, 2015.
Leslie H. Wexner, Chairman and CEO, commented, “We delivered record results in the third quarter. Our brands are differentiated and have high emotional content and we continue to deliver new, compelling merchandise in an exciting in-store experience. We remain focused on executing fundamentals and staying close to our customers. We are pleased with our month-to-date performance and we are well-positioned for the most significant part of our year which is in front of us.”
2015 Outlook
The company stated that it expects 2015 fourth quarter earnings per share to be $1.85 to $1.95. The company raised its adjusted full-year earnings forecast to $3.69 to $3.79 per share from $3.58 to $3.73 previously, which incorporates the third quarter earnings beat to its previous forecast and increased fourth quarter interest expense of approximately $0.04 per share related to its recent $1 billion note issuance. The full-year guidance also includes the previously announced negative foreign exchange impact of approximately $0.12 per share.
Earnings Call Information
L Brands will conduct its third quarter earnings call at 9:00 a.m. Eastern on November 19. To listen, call 1-866-363-4673 (international dial-in number: 1-973-200-3978). For an audio replay, call 1-855-859-2056 (conference ID 33156271) (international replay number: 1-404-537-3406 (conference ID 33156271)) or log onto www.LB.com. Additional third quarter financial information is also available at www.LB.com.
ABOUT L BRANDS:
L Brands, through Victoria’s Secret, PINK, Bath & Body Works, La Senza and Henri Bendel, is an international company. The company operates 3,003 company-owned specialty stores in the United States, Canada and the United Kingdom, and its brands are sold in more than 700 additional noncompany-owned locations worldwide. The company’s products are also available online at www.VictoriasSecret.com, www.BathandBodyWorks.com,www.HenriBendel.com and www.LaSenza.com.
Safe Harbor Statement Under the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995
L Brands, Inc. cautions that any forward-looking statements (as such term is defined in the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995) contained in this press release or the third quarter earnings call involve risks and uncertainties and are subject to change based on various factors, many of which are beyond our control. Accordingly, our future performance and financial results may differ materially from those expressed or implied in any such forward-looking statements. Words such as “estimate,” “project,” “plan,” “believe,” “expect,” “anticipate,” “intend,” “planned,” “potential” and any similar expressions may identify forward-looking statements. Risks associated with the following factors, among others, in some cases have affected and in the future could affect our financial performance and actual results and could cause actual results to differ materially from those expressed or implied in any forward-looking statements included in this press release or the third quarter earnings call:
- general economic conditions, consumer confidence, consumer spending patterns and market disruptions including severe weather conditions, natural disasters, health hazards, terrorist activities, financial crises, political crises or other major events, or the prospect of these events;
- the seasonality of our business;
- the dependence on a high volume of mall traffic and the availability of suitable store locations on appropriate terms;
- our ability to grow through new store openings and existing store remodels and expansions;
- our ability to successfully expand into global markets and related risks;
- our relationships with independent franchise, license and wholesale partners;
- our direct channel businesses;
- our failure to protect our reputation and our brand images;
- our failure to protect our trade names, trademarks and patents;
- the highly competitive nature of the retail industry generally and the segments in which we operate particularly;
- consumer acceptance of our products and our ability to keep up with fashion trends, develop new merchandise and launch new product lines successfully;
- our ability to source, distribute and sell goods and materials on a global basis, including risks related to:
- political instability;
- duties, taxes and other charges;
- legal and regulatory matters;
- volatility in currency exchange rates;
- local business practices and political issues;
- potential delays or disruptions in shipping and transportation and related pricing impacts;
- disruption due to labor disputes; and
- changing expectations regarding product safety due to new legislation;
- fluctuations in foreign currency exchange rates;
- stock price volatility;
- our failure to maintain our credit rating;
- our ability to service or refinance our debt;
- our ability to retain key personnel;
- our ability to attract, develop and retain qualified employees and manage labor-related costs;
- the inability of our manufacturers to deliver products in a timely manner and meet quality standards;
- fluctuations in product input costs;
- fluctuations in energy costs;
- increases in the costs of mailing, paper and printing;
- claims arising from our self-insurance;
- our ability to implement and maintain information technology systems and to protect associated data;
- our failure to maintain the security of customer, associate, supplier or company information;
- our failure to comply with regulatory requirements;
- tax matters; and
- legal and compliance matters.
We are not under any obligation and do not intend to make publicly available any update or other revisions to any of the forward-looking statements contained in this press release or the third quarter earnings call to reflect circumstances existing after the date of this press release or the third quarter earnings call or to reflect the occurrence of future events even if experience or future events make it clear that any expected results expressed or implied by those forward-looking statements will not be realized. Additional information regarding these and other factors can be found in Item 1A. Risk Factors in our 2014 Annual Report on Form 10-K.
For further information, please contact:
L Brands:
Investor Relations
Amie Preston
(614) 415-6704
apreston@lb.com
Media Relations
Tammy Roberts Myers
(614) 415-7072
communications@lb.com
SOURCE: L Brands Inc